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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Palinor do?

2. What takes Beneditx and Severo by surprise?

3. Who is Margarlida ordering around?

4. What does Palinor wonder about his wife?

5. What does Josefa ask to do with Amara?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Amara doing now and what does she gain by it?

2. What does Palinor say about men who break the law?

3. Why is Beneditx angry and what does he remember about his mother's anger?

4. What about Gaspar and his life does Severo think of while he is riding to see Palinor?

5. What happened to Amara that put her into her present condition when brought back to the Abbey?

6. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

7. Where does Palinor travel to find help and what does the prefect observe about him?

8. How does Amara get away from the convent?

9. When a man comes up to Amara and Josefa as they cut nettles what does he tell them?

10. What does Severo think about as he falls asleep the first night of visiting Palinor and Beneditx?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Severo's dream brings to light the role the Cardinal has played in Palinor's downfall. Severo easily could have let Palinor go, as the man clearly washed up on Grandinsula by accident, but Severo chose to detain Palinor, because he was interested in talking further with the atheist. What has happened to Palinor on Grandinsula is not a result of God's providence or God's hand, but of Severo's selfish desires.

1. Do you think it is Severo's fault that Palinor is being held? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Palinor should lie to save his life? Why or why not?

3. What would you do if you were in Severo's position? How about Palinor's?

Essay Topic 2

Severo gets further proof of his belief that all things are God-ordained, when he encounters Josefa at Sant Clara. What one man sees as evidence of God's work, however, may look like a series of coincidences to another.

1. Do you think the fact of Josefa being at the convent is farther proof that there are no coincidences or accidents? Why or why not?

2. What do you think is meant by the second statement above? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. Discuss a situation you or someone you know have experienced that would support or disavow Severo's belief in all things being God-ordained.

Essay Topic 3

There is a glimmer of hope for the nuns as Amara takes to the litter box. Her savage nature, however, is once more revealed as she immediately is accepted into a pack of hunters' hounds.

1. Do you think it is possible for a child to be raised in the wilds and survive? Why or why not?

2. Do you think, given Amara's age, she will ever be able to act completely human? Why or why not?

3. How do you think the situation with Amara could be used to test the nature versus nurture controversy?

(see the answer keys)

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